These are common and useful knots for sailors to know, which are presented in ASA 101-104 certification books and classes.

• Bowline
• Cleat hitch
• Clove hitch
• Figure eight knot
• Reef knot / Square knot
• Rolling hitch
• Round turn and two half hitches
• Sheet bend / Double sheet bend
• Trucker’s hitch

Additional useful knots include:

• Cow hitch
• Figure nine knot
• Jam hitch
• Simple slipped noose knot
• Slip knot
• Taut-line hitch

The better you understand knots, the better and more efficient sailor you can be. The key to learning them is to practice, practice, practice… and use them in practical applications!